Facsimile Editions

Have you ever really wanted a rare book for your collection but the price is too high? Why not go for a facsimile edition? A facsimile edition is when a publisher recreates, with perfect detail, a particular publication. These editions are usually published in limited quantity and can be a fantastic option for collectors who wish to own memorable and beautiful books but cannot stretch to the original edition.

For example, James Joyce’s Ulysses is one of the most sought after modern firsts on the planet. Even a well worn first edition from 1922 costs around $20,000. It is for this kind of book that the facsimile edition was created, allowing collectors of moderate means to experience the classics as they were originally intended.

Not all collectors think positively of facsimile editions; some feel that if one cannot find or afford the true edition one should go without. But no matter what your stance on these reproductions, it’s always prudent to be aware of their existence.